USB Hard Drive Not Showing Up? Your Files Aren’t Lost Yet
You’ve backed up your files on a WD My Passport or a 3.5″ Seagate Expansion Desktop, but now it fails to appear. The frustration of losing access to photos, documents, or business data is overwhelming. Whether it’s a portable Toshiba Canvio or a desktop LaCie 2big RAID, a USB hard drive not detected doesn’t mean your data is gone. Payam Data Recovery, Australia’s oldest data recovery company since 1998, can help. With 150,000+ successful recoveries, our 15 engineers tackle both portable and desktop drives.
Why Choose Payam?
- Australia’s oldest data recovery company since 1998
- 150,000+ successful recoveries
- Real labs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth
- Trusted by government agencies and 2000+ IT companies
First Steps: Safe Troubleshooting Tips
Before reaching out to Payam, try these safe checks for your USB hard drive not detected:
- Verify power for desktop drives: For 3.5″ drives like WD My Book, use the original power adapter, not a laptop charger. Stop immediately if you smell burning.
- Listen for sounds: If the drive clicks or is silent, it may indicate physical damage; don’t power it on further.
- Switch cables or ports: Test a different USB cable or port on your computer.
- Try another device: Connect the drive to a different computer.
- Still no luck? Avoid further risks. Get your free quote now.
Caution: Running recovery software or opening the drive can destroy your data. If you notice a burning smell or suspect a fall, Payam’s cleanroom expertise is essential.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When your USB hard drive fails to appear, avoid these errors:
- Ignoring warning signs: Continuing to power a drive with a burning smell can ruin recovery chances.
- Using wrong adapters: A laptop charger on a 3.5″ drive like Seagate Expansion Desktop can fry the PCB.
- Attempting DIY repairs: Opening the drive or using unverified software risks permanent data loss.
Payam’s professional tools prevent these mistakes. Submit your job today.
Why Your USB Hard Drive Isn’t Detected
Understanding the Problem
A USB hard drive not detected means your computer can’t access it, whether it’s a portable Samsung T7 or a 3.5″ G-Technology ArmorATD. Common reasons include:
- Damaged USB cable or port
- Overvoltage from an incompatible adapter (e.g., laptop charger), causing PCB damage or smoke
- Physical damage from drops, kids hitting desks, or heavy objects falling on the drive
- Corrupted file system
- Faulty PCB or firmware
Brand-Specific Issues
Drives from Seagate, Western Digital, WD, Toshiba, LaCie, SanDisk, Samsung, G-Technology, Buffalo, Adata, Transcend, and Lexar often face these issues, especially 3.5″ models like WD My Book due to power adapter errors or desk falls. Payam can restore your data. Explore HDD recovery.
Can You Recover Data From a USB Hard Drive Not Detected?
Absolutely, Payam can often retrieve data from portable and 3.5″ desktop drives that fail to appear. Home fixes, like forcing power after a drop or using disk tools, can overwrite files. Our cleanroom facilities and 15 expert engineers handle PCB repairs, physical damage, or file system issues. Don’t gamble with your data. Get your free quote now.
Testimonial: “My 3.5″ LaCie drive fell off my desk when my son banged the table. Payam recovered all my project files in a week. Amazing service!” – Lisa, Adelaide
Payam’s Data Recovery Process
Our process ensures safe recovery for portable and 3.5″ desktop drives:
- Free Evaluation: In 1-2 days, we diagnose your drive in one of our 6 CBD labs.
- Transparent Quote: You receive a clear cost and timeframe.
- Expert Recovery: We fix file systems, replace PCBs, or repair physical damage in cleanrooms.
- Data Delivery: Your files are returned on a new drive.
See how we’ve helped others. Read success stories.
Why Payam Stands Out
Payam is Australia’s largest data recovery company with 6 labs and 15 engineers. Unlike competitors with virtual offices, our real labs are in CBD locations across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. Since 1998, we’ve completed 150,000+ recoveries, earning trust from government agencies and 2000+ IT firms. Need speed? Our same-day priority service or 1-2 day free evaluation delivers. Start your recovery today.
Cost of USB Hard Drive Recovery
Non-urgent recovery costs $375 to $2000 AUD, with priority services at a premium for faster results. Costs depend on:
- File system issues: Quick and affordable
- PCB or firmware damage (e.g., from wrong adapters): More involved
- Physical damage (e.g., from falls): Complex, needing cleanroom work
Recovery takes 1-2 days to weeks, based on complexity. Our free evaluation provides exact details. Get your free quote now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a USB hard drive to stop working?
Reasons include wrong power adapters causing PCB damage, drops or impacts, faulty cables, or file system errors. Payam’s free evaluation pinpoints the cause.
What’s the success rate for recovering 3.5″ desktop drives?
Payam recovers data in over 90% of cases, even for 3.5″ drives with physical damage, using advanced cleanroom techniques.
Is it safe to keep trying to power on my drive?
No, especially if you smell burning or hear clicking. Stop and contact Payam to prevent further damage.
Drives We Recover
Payam handles portable USB drives and 3.5″ desktop drives, including: WD My Book Desktop, Seagate Expansion Desktop, LaCie 2big RAID, Seagate One Touch, WD My Passport, Toshiba Canvio Advance, LaCie Rugged Mini, SanDisk Professional G-Drive, Samsung T7, G-Technology ArmorATD, Buffalo MiniStation, Adata HD710 Pro, Transcend StoreJet, Lexar SL500, Hitachi Touro, Maxtor M3, Verbatim Store ‘n’ Go, Kingston DataTraveler, Patriot Supersonic, Seagate Backup Plus Slim, WD Elements, Toshiba Canvio Basics.
Our Australian Labs
Payam operates real labs with on-site engineers, not virtual offices:
- Sydney: Level 11, 65 York Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000
- Rhodes: Ground Floor, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes, NSW, 2138
- Melbourne: Level 11, 456 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
- Brisbane: Level 10, 95 North Quay, Brisbane, QLD, 4000
- Adelaide: Level 24, 91 King William Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000
- Perth: Level 28, AMP Tower, 140 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000
Start Your Recovery Now
Don’t let lost data stress you out. Contact Payam today. Get your free quote now or call us: 1300 444 800. Overseas? Ship your drive for our expert service. With labs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth CBDs, Payam delivers fast, reliable recovery.